Category Archives: Military UAS

Triton to Deploy to Guam in 2018

The first deployment of Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton maritime patrol unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be to the Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam in 2018, a year later than previously announced by the US Navy (USN). It will occur as part of an early operational capability deployment. Continue reading →

UK Invests £8M in R&D for Rotary Wing Unmanned Air Systems Demonstrator Programme

In a major speech at the University of Oxford, the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, announced the launch of a two year £8 million second phase of innovative research and development, exploring the future of unmanned air systems. Continue reading →

Taiwan Displays Armed MALE UAV at IDEX

Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) used the IDEX 2017 show in Abu Dhabi to display a model of an armed version of a medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) that it unveiled in 2015. Continue reading →

US Air Force to Transition from MQ-1 Predator to MQ-9 Reaper

For the past 21 years, the Air Force has flown the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange. Continue reading →

First Flight Tests of the MS-177 Multi-Spectral Sensor on RQ-4 Global Hawk

Northrop Grumman Corporation has begun flight testing of the MS-177 sensor payload with a successful inaugural flight on an RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance autonomous aircraft system.

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Chinese Drone’s Maiden Flight

China’s latest combat drone made its maiden flight on Monday and is set to be “the biggest export deal” of any Chinese-made unmanned aircraft, according to the drone’s designer. Continue reading →

First US Navy Suicide Drones

An F6F Hellcat fighter converted into a suicide drone sits onboard the aircraft carrier USS Boxer during the Korean War. Credit: By USN [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

During the Korean War, a life-or-death race took place between an U.S. Navy Hellcat fighter aircraft and a group of North Koreans on a railroad handcar. Apparently believing that the fighter was preparing to attack with its machine guns, the North Koreans frantically pumped the railroad handcar’s arm as they headed for the safety of a railroad tunnel. They made it inside just before the aircraft crashed into the hillside near the tunnel entrance. Continue reading →

Yemeni Army Unveils Indigenous Drones

This photo provided by the media bureau of Yemen’s operations command shows Qasef-1 (Striker-1)

Yemeni army forces have unveiled four domestically designed and manufactured drones to collect information on the positions and movements of militiamen loyal to resigned president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, as well as Saudi troops, and carry out aerial attacks against them. Continue reading →